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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. With which word meaning 'amen' does Hurston end the story entitled "MonkeyJunk"?

2. What element does the narrator name as the only thing Sykes had brought to his marriage?

3. In the story entitled "Sweat," what does Delia Jones do for a living?

4. How many single men are said to exist in the town of Eatonville, Florida?

5. Which character tells Lilya that she will someday be able to use a certain object to prove that she "had once had the world in a jug" (195)?

Short Essay Questions

1. The story "Monkey Junk" utilizes diction and language associated with which text?

2. What aspect of the ending of the story "Muttsy" does not bode well for Pinkie's future happiness?

3. What is the significance of the title Hurston gave to the story called "Sweat"?

4. In what way is foreshadowing associated with the portrait featured in the story "The Back Room"?

5. Who is Panic?

6. Which object within the story "The Back Room" serves as a symbol of fading youth and beauty?

7. What aspect of Joe Clarke's personal life is discussed only in the story entitled "The Eatonville Anthology"?

8. How does Muttsy make his living in the story named after him in Hitting a Straight Lick With a Crooked Stick?

9. What is the symbolism of the moment when Delia picks up an iron skillet in the story "Sweat"?

10. The story entitled "Book of Harlem," not to be confused with the story "The Book of Harlem," focuses on what kind of journey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Hurston's message about the relationship between poverty and racism within the collection Hitting a Straight Lick With a Crooked Stick?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of a particular protagonist featured in the pages of the collection Hitting a Straight Lick With a Crooked Stick. Discuss whether your chosen protagonist is a round or flat character, whether the character is a static or dynamic character, and other aspects of characterization Hurston uses to bring your chosen character to life.

Essay Topic 3

All of the characters in the collection have specific yet varied relationships with money. Examine the theme of money in the text and how it affects the various characters.

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This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample